10 things that shocked me when I moved to Germany

The streets, the subways, and the parks are all spotless. Flickr/Alexander RentschWhen I moved from the Lone Star State to Germany in 2009, the lack of sunshine wasn't the only change that took some getting used to.

Six years later, these quirks still get to me, and they blow the minds of friends who hop the pond for a visit.

1. EVERYTHING is closed on Sunday

That includes Aldi and the mall.

Stock up now because come Sunday, villages are post-apocalyptic ghost towns.

But it's not all bad; Sundays give you the chance to focus on neglected chores, like the three loads of laundry that will take two days in your "energy saving" LG washer and dryer.

2. You'll receive a righteous scolding.

Germans are sticklers for rules and eager to point out when you break one — even if you are clueless.

Don't even think about kicking up your feet on the next seat while riding the train from Stuttgart to Munich.

Mowing during quiet hours will earn finger pointing and chastisement in a tone of disappointment you've only heard from grandma.

Oh, and the Polizei have no tolerance for ignorance either. I was pulled over and ticketed after four weeks in country because my dog was riding in the car without a seatbelt (no, that law was not on the driving test and, yes, this is a true story).

3. Bacon really is a vegetable.

Pig is not merely a side with breakfast, a garnish on salad or the meat on top of meat. The potato salad or dumplings listed on the vegetarian menu may be covered in genuine crumbled bacon.

4. Customer service? That's impossible.

A year for Internet installation, a three-hour wait for soup, and you have to bag your own groceries. Want to add tomato to your chicken sandwich? It's not going to happen, even though the restaurant has tomatoes. Get used to hearing "no" and "it doesn't come that way." On the bright side, tipping is optional.

5. The 1980s are still cool … for the first time.

Get ready to jam to Paula Abdul with locals sporting acid-washed pleated jeans and mullets. Your village's carnival is the epitome of this phenomenon, showcasing carnies and defunct 1980s fair rides from the States.

6. Everything is über clean.

Shutterstock The streets, the subways, the parks are spotless and beautiful because everyone makes cleaning a priority. While you hit snooze on Saturday morning, the little old lady down the street is stooped over with a hand brush meticulously cleaning the sidewalk.

7. You always need euros.

8. David Hasselhoff is a hero.

Musical talent and outstanding acting skills in The Young and the Restless, Baywatch, and Knight Rider have elevated Hasselhoff to superstar status. Confused? Reread No. 5 above.

9. The autobahn.

It's not one road with no speed limit but the name for every freeway in Germany. There are wide-open stretches with no restrictions, and if you hang out in the left lane, you will get your ass blown off by a sweet Audi or Porsche.

10. Germans are kind, generous human beings.

Flickr/Alexander RentschThis one sounds contradictory to numbers two and four, but you shouldn't be afraid to meet your neighbors.

In no time, they will become the kind of friends who help you move, watch your dog and invite you to dinner without expecting anything in return. They put friends and family first, and are a nice reminder that you should too.